What everyone should know about Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects millions of people worldwide. Many people who have it do not know because the symptoms are often mild or absent. 

In this article, Tribune Online explores things to know about Gonorrhoea. 

Gonorrhoea caused by bacteria

Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It infects warm and moist parts of the body. 

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Many people, especially women, may not notice any symptoms early enough. When symptoms appear, they most commonly affect the genital tract:

• For men: painful urination, pus-like discharge from the penis, pain or swelling in the testicle.

• For women: increased vaginal discharge, painful urination, bleeding between periods, and abdominal or pelvic pain.

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Sexual contact

Gonorrhoea spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected person, especially when condoms are not used. It does not spread through casual contact like hugging or sharing food. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

Treatment 

Gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment, but it must be managed by a qualified medical practitioner. 

If you think you have gonorrhea or you’ve been exposed to it, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible. Early treatment helps to prevent serious health problems, such as infertility or complications during pregnancy, and stops the infection from spreading to others.